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Do Olympic champion ice dancers have an edge in 'Dancing With The Stars?'

By Chuck Barney, Contra Costa Times

Updated:
03/04/2014 02:34:23 PM MST

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of United States during the Figure Skating Exhibition Gala on Day 15 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 22, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

They proved that they can dazzle us on ice — and with each other. But how will Olympic champions Charlie White and Meryl Davis fare as rivals on “Dancing With the Stars”?

White and Davis, who just captured gold medals in Sochi as the world's best ice dancers, are among the Season 18 “DWTS” cast, as announced Tuesday morning on “Good Morning America.” For the popular reality series, they'll compete against each other as White teams up with Sharna Burgess and Davis takes Maksim Chmerkovskiy as her partner.

They bring an intriguing dynamic to the show, but will they have an unfair advantage? White and Davis, who have competed for 17 years as a team, are clearly in terrific shape and they know a thing or two about fancy footwork. And figure skaters do have an edge, as Kristi Yamaguchi proved by winning Season 6 of “DWTS.”

White and Davis have even worked with “DWTS” pro Derek Hough, who choreographed their performances on ice. This season, Hough will be teamed with 2014 U.S. Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy. The Paralympic Closing Ceremony in Sochi, Russia, is March 16, one day before the “DWTS” season premiere. Purdy, a double amputee, is the first Paralympian to go on “DWTS.”

“Dancing With the Stars” returns for its 18th season on March 17 with a new co-host as Erin Andrews replaces Brooke-Burke-Chavert, who got the boot after eight seasons. The show will also deliver a dramatic new twist: At one point during the season, the stars will swap partners and it will be up to the viewers to decide who ends up together.

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